Dairy Godfathers
I don’t know any one who isn’t repulsed by the latest undercover footage shot in dairy calf operation in Texas, nor anyone in the business of raising livestock that doesn’t want the perpetrators punished to the full degree. Right now the dairy industry could use some positive PR and when Open Range returns I’ll tell you who has just been dubbed the Dairy Godfather by the Wall Street Journal. A few bad apples are tainting the reputable industry that puts milk on our table, it’s interesting that the controversial fashion industry might be riding to the rescue to help the industys image. A couple of executives, Tony Yurgaitis and George Malkemus for shoe designer Manolo Blahnick have created their own high-end milk brand to sell at upper scale stores like Whole Foods. They tout the fact they raise pampered heifers, Holestiens treated like a bevy of Junior Leaguers, bathed in Pantiene shampoo, manicured, and groomed daily. There is not a flie to be seen and a sign reminds workers that “Every cow in the barn is a lady, please treat her as such”. The same duo that have convinced women to shell out over $600.00 for strappy little heels launched the Arthusa brand of milk that retails for more then double a typical half –gallon. Sort of like wagu beef, certainly a niche brand, but good PR I would think for an industry that has been hammered by bad press yet according to the Journal article title From High Heels To Hooves", neighboring organic dairy farmers see the groomed pedigreed and very pampered cows as competition while another dairy co-operative boasts they don’t and won’t ever groom cows, theirs are working girls. With all this squabbling, these Dairy Godfathers might have the makings of a new reality show on thier farm. Jersey Shore...how about Jersey Cows Gone Wild.
